Saturday 19 June• 16:00: Departure from Thessaloniki.
(For those who come directly, the meeting is at 19.30 in Paranesti).
Arranging in the rooms, checking and preparing our equipment and information about the program of the trip.
• 20:30: Dinner at the old train station.
Sunday, June 20• 07:00: Breakfast at the hotel
• 08:00: Departure for the Fence Forest
The aim of the day is to spend several hours photographing the rich flora and the wonderful landscapes of the forest. From Paranesti we will head north in the direction of Frakto. The route through the forest soon shows us how beautiful the environment we are going to photograph is. Our first stop is the dam of the Platanovrisi Hydroelectric Station. The artificial lake creates an idyllic landscape, with reflections of tall trees in the calm waters - the photographic result is often impressive! From there, we will follow upside down Diavolorema, one of the largest streams that feed the lake. After about 25 kilometers we will meet in front of us Thermia, a "favela" with makeshift shacks which hide a natural treasure - the thermal baths of the area.
From this point, we follow a dirt road through the dense forest, stopping regularly to photograph first the oak forest and then the majestic black pine trees that frame the road.
Arriving at the forest outpost, we make a stop for relaxation against the backdrop of the wonderful landscape. Here we can drink an "outdoor" coffee and prepare our equipment for the short hike that will follow. A gentle path will lead us to the three waterfalls of Achladorema, through the beautiful pine and birch forest. Returning we will eat the picnic that we will have taken care to bring with us, before we take the road back to Paranesti.
On the way back, whoever wants to relax, can take a bath in Thermia!
• 17:00: Return to Paranesti.
Our day will end with a photo on the banks of the river Nestos, before we return to our hotel for rest and food in one of the taverns of the village.
Monday 21 June• 07:30: Breakfast
• 08:30: Check-out
A unique spectacle will compensate us for waking up on Sunday morning - the meanders of the Nestos River from above! Following the provincial road to Xanthi, parallel to the river, we will reach Stavroupoli and from there we will head to the observatory located at Thea, at an altitude of 891 meters between Toxotes and Imera. In front of us lies Nestos in all its glory, surrounded by dense forest. The view of the meanders is captivating!
Before continuing our walk to get to know Nestos more closely, we will visit the ruined villages of Kromniko and Livera, where there is a possibility to meet and photograph herds of horses.
Next stop, the straits of Nestos, an area of special natural beauty. We leave our car in Galani and start a beautiful hiking trail by the river that will allow us to photograph the waters, the banks and the islands of Nestos up close, moving and next to the old train tracks with the picturesque stone tunnels. On the way back, we will relax on the beach near the parking lot - the brave can take a dip in the icy waters or enjoy flying fox over the river!
Our last stop is one of the taverns in the area, to deliciously close a weekend full of nature and images!
Canon Photographer: Babis Giritziotis.